shinjudo

Shinjudo is a campaign setting and game
system that is being organically developed for many years. It is
centered around the Maiho, a culture based on Japan's Tokugawa era, and the
events that unfold as war and supernatural activity act as harbingers of
forgotten horrors.

Players may take on the roles of samurai warriors belonging to the Eight
Great Clans that uphold a millennial dynasty – each one with their own
traditions and martial arts. They may also play with a wide range of characters
from that world, such as monks, mystics, soldiers, sellswords, martial artists
and others, whose fates are tied to those of the Maihojin.

The game mechanics was designed with great care. The goal was to make it as
minimalistic as possible, without jeopardizing the wealth and depth that are
expected from a game of narrative. While the game system provides the
customization players demand, and provides robust combat rules, it strives to
be secondary to narrative and subjectivity, both crucial and inherent aspects
of RPGs.

Although Shinjudo has been under development for quite some time, all
material must be revised before it is made finally available. Added to that the ever
changing nature of the project, you'll find that only parts of the game are
currently available. More material will certainly be added, so stay tuned.

How to play the game

Although Shinjudo uses simple mechanics, the game is not yet recommend for
first time RPG players. That is mainly because chapters that explain what an
RPG is and how players and storytellers behave are not ready yet – and they are
a low priority task.

That said, Shinjudo requires a few character sheets, some dice (actually any
token will do, even coins), but mainly a great deal of creativity to fill in
the blanks in the setting – both the intentional as well as the accidental
ones. The game is best played with one storyteller and about three players, and
it is not intended to be used with figures or grids. It is a game of narrative
not a wargame.

The Campaign Setting

“For over two centuries the Kokuto, our beloved Empire, has been under a
watchful peace – a tense peace. In one hand the Emperor has managed to keep the
rebellious lords at bay and in line, using powerful warrior clans as shields of
the Throne. On the other, the warrior caste has itself seized great power and
keeps the Emperor in a golden cage.

The rebellious outer lords are scheming, hiring mercenaries and striking
outposts. The barbaric neighboring nations and their brutal gods are always
hungry for war and power. The Emperor keeps expanding his army, aiming for a
progressive future forged with steel and sulfur. The vile rot from a decadent
nobility threatens the nation from within, endangering its soul and its
arts.

But what most troubles me are the shadow and the whisper. The things that
long have lurked in the dark waiting for the strength of the Maiho to fail.
They are waiting no longer.”

The Campaign Setting is divided in the following sections: Myths of a Living
World, History of Kokuto, Lands and People, Clans and Traditions, Lands Beyond
and Within.

The Game System

Shinjudo's game system was designed to be very simple, easy to learn and to
use. Rules for character creation and skill checks are almost minimalistic,
while merits and abilities allow for a rich character customization.

The system was designed tied to the campaign setting, so it would be foolish
not to address cultural aspects when explaining the mechanics. And that is a
great thing, because it makes system sections much more interesting.

The Game System is divided in the following sections: Game Mechanics,
Character Creation, Skills and Abilities, Tools and Weapons, Gods and
Beasts.